Accountants Act, 2013 Uganda

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THE RK UBL: ~ or .Ie.A.NUI-.
I SIGNIFY my assent to the bill.

2013Act Accountants Act
THE ACCOUNTANTS ACT, 2013
ARRANGE1'v1ENT OF SECTIONS
Section
PART I-PRELIMINARY.
1. Interpretation.
PART II-THE INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC

ACCOUNTANTS OF UGANDA.

2. The Institute.
3. Seal of the Institute.
4. Functions of the Institute.
5. Membership of the Institute.
6. Meetings of the Institute.
PART III-THE COUNCIL.
7. The Council.
8. Composition of the Council.
9. Tenure of office.
10. Resignation of members of the Council.
11. Termination of office of member of the Council.
12. Functions of the Council.
13. Meetings of the Council.
14. Committees of the Council.
PART IV-THE PuBLIC ACCOUNTANTS E XAMlNATIONS BOARD.
15. The Public Accountants Examinations Board.
16. Functions of examinations board.
PART V-SECRETARY, REGISTRAR AND STAFF OF THE INSTITUTE.
17. Secretary of the Institute.
18. Registrar of accountants.
19. Other staff.

PART VI-FINANCIAL PROVISIONS.

20. Funds of the Institute.
21. Borrowing power.
22. Investment.
23. Financial year.
24. Accounts and audit.
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Section
PART VII-REGULATION OF ACCOUNTANTS AND THE
PRACTICE OF ACCOUNTANCY
25. Enrolment of members.
26. Disqualification from enrolment.
27. Registration as practising accountants.
28. Certificate of practice.
29. Renewal of certificate of practice.
30. Certified Public Accountant of Uganda.
31. Issue of annual licenses to accounting firms.
32. Renewal of licenses to practice for accounting firms.
33. Inspection of accounting firms.
34. Practicing accountancy.
35. Offence to practise without certificate.
PART VIII-THE QUALITY ASSURANCE BOARD.
36. The Quality Assurance Board.
37. Functions of the Quality Assurance Board.
PART IX-PROFESSIONAL CODE OF ETIIJcs.
38. Professional code of ethics.
PART X-DISCIPLINARY COMM.ITTEE.
39. The disciplinary committee.
40. Secretary to disciplinary committee.
41. Complaints against accountants.
42. Procedure of disciplinary committee.
43. Decision of disciplinary committee.
44. Report of disciplinary committee to Council.
45. Disciplinary appeals committee.
46 . Powers and functions of the disciplinary appeals committee.
47. Appeals to the High Court.
48. Implementation of orders of disciplinary committee and
disciplinary appeals committee.

2013
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Act Accountants Act
Section
PART XI-MISCELLANEOUS.
49. Annual subscription fee.
50. Registers.
51. Extract from the register.
52. Alteration of the register.
53. Regulations.
54. Amendment of Schedule.
55. Consequential amendments.
56. Repeal of the Accountants Act.
SCHEDULES
Schedule 1 Currency Point
Schedule 2 Meetings of the Institute
Schedule 3 - Associate Members

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Accountants Act 2013
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III .... . -,
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THE ACCOUNTANTS ACT, 2013.
An Act to amend, replace and consolidate the law relating to
accountants; to provide for the Institute of Certified Public
Accountants of Uganda; to provide for the Council of the
Institute and the composition of the Council, appointment of the
members of the Council and the functions of the Council; to
provide for the public accountants examination board and its
membership and functions; to provide for the secretary, registrar
and staff of the Institute; to provide for the enrolment of the
members of the Institute and the registration of practising
accountants.and licensing of accounting firms; to provide for a
public oversight board; the code of ethics and disciplinary
proceedings; to provide for the fees payable under the Act; to
repeal the Accountants Act, Cap. 266; and for connected purposes.
DATE OF ASSENT:
Date of Commencement:
BE IT ENACTED by Parliament as fo llows:
PART I-PRELIMINARY
1. Interpretation.

In this Ac t unless the context otherwise req uires
"accountant" means a person who is enrolled as a member of the
Institute in accorda nce with this Act;
, I

Act Accountants Act 2013
"accounting firm" means a sole proprietorship or a partnership

of qualified practicing accountants and licensed under this

Act;

"associate member" means a person who has qualified or who

has passed professional exams and has not attained

professional practical experience;

,I
"Council" means the Council of the Institute provided for under

section 7;

"currency point" has the value assigned to it in the Schedule to

this Act;

"disciplinary appeals committee" means the disciplinary appeals

committee of the Council provided for under section 45;

"disciplinary committee" means the disciplinary committee of

the Council provided for under section 39;

"examinations board" means the examinations board provided

for under section 15;

"Institute" means the Institute of certified public accountants of

Uganda provided for under section 2;

"Minister" means the Minister responsible for finance;
"practising accountant" means an accountant registered in

accordance with section 27 and issued with a practicing

certificate under section 28;

"president" means the president of the Council provided for

under section 8;

"public officer" means any person holding or acting in an office

in the public service;

"registrar" means the registrar of accountants provided for under
section 18;
"secretary" means the secretary of the Institute appointed under
section 17.
PART II-THE INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS OF

UGANDA

2. The Institute.
(1) The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda in
existence immediately before the commencement of this Act is
continued in existence subject to this Act.
(2) The Institute shall be a body corporate with perpetual
succession and may sue or be sued in its corporate name.
(3) The Institute may hold, acquire or dispose of any property,
movable or immovable.
3. Seal of the Institute.
(1) The Institute shall have a common seal which shall be kept
in the custody of the secretary and which shall not be affixed to any
document except by the order of the Council.
(2) The seal of the Institute shall be authenticated by the
signatures of the president and the secretary or in the absence of the
president, by the signatures of the vice president and the secretary.
4. Functions of the Institute.
The Institute shall
(a) regulate and maintain the standard of accountancy In
Uganda; and
(b) prescribe and regulate the conduct of accountants and
practising accountants in Uganda.

5. Membership of the Institute.
(1) The Institute shall have the following categories of
members
(a) full members;
(b) associate members;
(c) retired members; and
(d) any other category of members, as may be determined by

the Council.

(2) A person shall be eligible for full membership of the Institute
if he or she
(a) passes the qualifying examinations conducted by the

examinations board and completes the practical training

prescribed by the Council; or

(b) is a member of a society or an institute of accountants

approved by the Council as being a society or institute with

a status equivalent to that of the Institute.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) (b), the Council may
(a) determine the specific class of members of a society or an

institute of accountants approved as being a society or

institute with a status equivalent to that of the Institute, that

is eligible for membership; or

(b) provide that a member of a specific society or institute of

accountants is not eligible for membership of the Institute

unless he or she passes the qualifying examinations

conducted by the examinations board and completes the

practical training prescribed by the Council.

(4) A person to whom subsection (2) refers, may apply to the
Institute to be enrolled as a full member of the Institute.
I

(5) A person who-
(a) enrolled and registered as a full member or an associate
member of the Institute under the Accountant Act, Cap.
266, and qualifies for membership under this Act, shall be
a full member under this Act;
(b) was an associate member under the Accountant Act, Cap.
266 will remain an associate member;
(c) in this subsection, 'associate member' means a person
named in Schedule 3.
(6) A person is eligible for membership as an associate member
of the Institute if he or she passes a qualifying examination conducted
by the examinations'Board but does not have practical training
prescribed by the Council.
(7) A person shall be eligible for membership as a retired
member of the Institute if he or she meets the criteria prescribed by
regulations made under this Act and applies to the Council for
retirement.
6. Meetings of the Institute.
The meetings of the Institute shall be held in accordance with
Schedule 2 and Regulations made under this Act.
PART III-THE COUNCIL
7. The Council.
(1) The governing body of the Institute is the Council which
consists of eleven members as specified in section 8.
(2) The Council shall be headed by a president who is deputised
by a vice president.
8. Composition of the Council.
(1) The Council is composed of

(a) seven members elected by full members, at least five of
whom shall be practising accountants;
(b) one member appointed by the Minister from a recognised
professional or regulatory body established by an Act of
Parliament; and
(c) three ex-officio members who are the Accountant-General,
the Auditor-General and the officer responsible for higher
education in the ministry responsible for education.
(2) At least three of the members referred to in sub section (1)
(a) shall be women.
(3) The president and the vice president shall be elected by the
members of the Council, from among themselves, in accordance with
regulations made under this Act.
(4) The president and vice president shall be persons with,
qualifications and at least seven years experience, in professional
accountancy.
(5) An ex officio member may in writing appoint another person
to represent him or her at a meeting of the Council.
9. Tenure of office.
A member of the Council, other than an ex-officio member, shall hold
office for two years and is eligible for re-election or reappointment
for a further term of two years only.
10. Resignation of members of the Council.
(1) A member of the Council, other than an ex-officio member,
may resign his or her office by writing, addressed to the president and
in the case of the president, addressed to the secretary.

(2) Where an elected member of the Council ceases to be a
member of the Institute, he or she shall cease to be a member of the
Council.
(3) Where an appointed or elected member dies or ceases to be
a member of the Council other than by effluxion of time
(a) if that member is an appointed member, the Minister shall
appoint another person to fill the vacancy; or
(b) if that member is an elected member, the Council shall co
opt a member of the Institute, pending the election of
another member at the next annual general meeting.
11. Termination of office of member of the Council.<
A member of the Council, other than an ex officio member may, at any
time,'be removed from office by the Minister or by the members at
the annual general meeting, as the case may be, for
(a) professional misconduct;
(b) incompetence;
(c) abuse of office;
(d) corruption;
(e) inability to perform the functions of the office due to
physical or mental incapacity;
(f) conviction of an offence involving moral turpitude;
(g) failure to attend six consecutive scheduled meetings of the
Council, without reasonable excuse; or
(h) any other reasonable ground.

12. Functions of the Council.
The Council sha]]
(a) admit members to the Institute;
(b) approve courses of study;
(c) provide for the registration of students of the Institute and
the qualifications for registration;
(d) supervise and regulate the practical training and education
carried out by the Institute;
(e) maintain and publish the roll of the members of the
Institute;
(f) supervise the registration of accountants who wish to
practise accountancy and maintain and publish the register
of practising accountants;
(g) issue certificates of practice in accordance with this Act;
(h) ensure the maintenance of professional standards by the
members of the Institute and take steps to acquaint the
members with methods and practices necessary to maintain
those standards;
(i) issue and adopt internationally accepted accounting and
auditing standards and promote their usage in Uganda and
make suitable adaptation where necessary;
U) prescribe the societies and institutions with a status
equivalent to that of the Institute;
(k) secure and promote international recognition of the
Institute;
(1) maintain a library of books and periodicals relating to the
practice of accountancy and allied subjects and encourage
the publication of similar books and periodicals in Uganda;

(m) promote the publication of a journal of the Institute;
(n) encourage research in accountancy and allied subjects in
Uganda, for the advancement of the accountancy profession
in Uganda;
(0) regulate the conduct of the members of the Institute and
promote good ethical standards and the discipline of the
members of the Institute;
(p) prescribe the fees payable by the members and students of
the Institute;
(q) advise regulators of educational institutions on the curricula
of study in accountancy related courses;
(r) advise Government on matters of financial accountability
and management in all sectors of the economy; and
(s) do anything incidental to the functions of the Institute.
13. Meetings of the Council.

The meetings of the Council shall be in accordance with regulations

made under this Act.

14. Committees of the Council.
(1) The Council may establish committees to deal with specific
matters of the Institute.
(2) A committee shall be composed of members of the Council
and members of the Institute.
(3) The chairperson of a committee shall be a member of the
Council.
(4) The Council shall regulate the proceedings of the committees
established under this section.

PART IV-THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS EXAMINA'TIONS BOARD
15. The Public Accountants Examinations Board.
(1) The Institute shall have an examinations board to be known
as the Public Accountants Examinations Board, in this Act referred to
as the "examinations board" which shall consist of
(a) two members of the Council, one of whom shall be designated

chairperson of the examinations board by the Council;

(b) two persons enrolled in accordance with this Act who shall

be from the teaching staff of universities or other

institutions of higher learning recognised by Government,

who shall be approved by the Council;

(c) one representative of the Ministry responsible for education;
(d) one representative of the Uganda National Examinations

Board;

"
(e) one representative of the National Council for Higher

Education; and

(f) the secretary of the examinations board, who shall be

appointed by the Council.

(2) A member of the board, other than a member who is a
member of the Council and the secretary of the examinations board,
shall hold office for three years and shall be eligible for
reappointmen t.
16. Functions of examinations board.
(l) The examinations board shall
(a) determine the syllabi and curricula In respect of

examination in the subjects of study;

(b) conduct the examinations of the Institute;
(c) appoint examiners and moderators of examinations;
(d) make rules to govern the examinations of the Institute; and
(e) do any other thing connected with the management of the
examinations of the Institute.
(2) The examinations board shall, submit the syllabi and
curriculum for the subjects of study to the National Council for
Higher Education, for approval.
PART V-SECRETARY, REGISTRAR AND STAFF OF THE INSTITUTE
17. Secretary of the Institute.
(1) There shall be a secretary of the Institute who shall be
appointed by the Council and whose terms and conditions of service
shall be determined by the Council.
(2) The secretary shall be the chief executive officer of the
Institute and shall be a full-time employee of the Institute.
(3) The secretary shall be responsible for recording the minutes
of the general meetings and of all the meetings of the Council and its
committees and shall keep custody of all the documents of the
Institute and of the Council.
18. Registrar of accountants.
The secretary of the Institute shall be the registrar of accountants.
19. Other staff.
(1) The Institute shall have other officers and employees as may
be appointed by the Council.
(2) The officers and employees of the Institute shall hold office
on terms and conditions determined by the Council.

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PART VI-FfNANCIAL PROVISIONS
20. Funds of the Institute.
(1) The funds of the Institute shall consist of
(a) enrolment fees , annual subscription fees and registration
fees from the members of the Institute;
(b) fees and other monies paid for services rendered by the
Institute;
(c) grants, gifts or donations to the Institute;
(d) money borrowed by the Institute for the performance of its
functions; and
(e) any other monies which the Institute may receive.
(2) All monies of the Institute shall be managed by the Council
in accordance with the laws of Uganda.
(3) The Institute shall operate bank accounts in banks approved
by the Council and in a manner determined by the Council.
21. Borrowing power.
The Institute may borrow money on terms agreed upon by the
Council for the performance of the functions of the Institute.
22. Investment.
The Council may invest monies of the Institute in any secunties
issued or guaranteed by Government or in any other investments
approved by the Council.
23. Financial year.
The financial year of the Institute shall be the calendar year beginning
from the 1st day of January and ending on the 31st day of December
of each year.

24. Accounts and audit.
(1) The Institute shall keep proper books of account and shall
prepare the annual financial statements for a financial year, not later
than the 31st day of March of the following year.
(2) The financial statements shall be audited by
(a) a practising
Council;
accountant who is not a member of the
(b) an accounting firm that does
Council;
not have a member of the
(c) a practising accountant who is not from an
with a member on the Council.
accounting firm
(3) The practising accountant or 'accounting firm shall be
appointed by the members of the Institute at an annual general
meeting.
(4) The practising accountant or accounting firm appointed
under subsection (3) has the same powers and duties as are conferred
upon an auditor appointed under the Compnies Act.
(5) The annual general meeting shall approve the remuneration
of the practising accountant or accounting firm appointed under
subsection (3).
(6) The Council shall for each year, furnish each member of the
Institute with the audited financial statements for the preceding year
together with the report of the auditor, not later than the 31st day of
May of the financial year.
PART VII-REGULATION OF ACCOUNTANTS AND THE PRACTICE OF
ACCOUNTANCY
25. Enrolment of members.
(1) A person who is eligible for full membership or associate
membership of the Institute under this Act, may apply to the Council for
enrolment as a full member or an associate member of the Institute.

(2) Where the Council is satisfied that the applicant is eligible
for membership, the Council shall direct the secretary to enrol the
applicant as a full member or an associate member of the Institute, as
the case may be, on payment of the enrolment fee.
(3) The secretary shall enrol a member in accordance with the
directive of the Council and issue a certificate of enrolment to the
person enrolled.
26. Disqualification from enrolment and membership.
A person is not qualified to be enrolled as a member of the Institute
or to continue to be a member of the Institute if he or she-.
. (a) is adjudged by a competent court to be of unsoun~ mind;
.(b) is an undischarged bankrupt;
(c) is convicted of a serious criminal offence or an offence
involving fraud or dishonesty by a competent court;
(d) has been struck off the roll of accountants under section
43(f); or
(e) has not renewed his or her membership for two consecutive
years without reasonable or justifiable cause.
27. Registration as practising accountants.
(1) A person who is enrolled as a full member of the Institute
under section 25, who wishes to practise accountancy, shall apply to
the Council to be registered as a practising accountant.
(2) Where the Council is satisfied that a member who applies for
registration under subsection (1) fulfills the conditions for registration
specified in subsection (3) , the Council shall direct the secretary to
register the member and to issue him or her with a certificate of
practice for the year.

(3) A member shall only be registered as a practising accountant,
where that member has obtained the relevant practical experience as
prescribed by the Council and pays the registration fee.
(4) The name of a member who is registered under this section,
shall be entered in the register of practising accountants.
(5) The Council may refuse to register a member under this
section.
(6) Where the Council refuses to register a member under this
section, the Council shall within thirty days inform the member of
(a) the refusal by the Council and the reasons for the refusal;
and
(b) the right of the' member to appeal to the High Court against
the decision of the Council.
(7) A member aggrieved by a decision of the Council made
under subsection (5), may appeal to the High Court within twenty one
days after the receipt of the decision of the Council.
(8) The registrar shall, for every financial year, publish a list of
practising accountants and licensed accounting firms, in the Gazette
and in at least one newspaper of wide circulation.
28. Certificate of practice.
(1) A person registered as a practising accountant under section
27 shall be granted a certificate of practice by the registrar.
(2) A person who was registered as a certified public accountant
under the Accountant Act, Cap 266 who wishes to practise
accountancy, shall apply to the Council for a certificate of practice.
(3) For an accounting firm to be recognised to offer accountancy
services, all its prtners or practitioners must have valid practising
certificates.

Accountants Act 2013Act
(4) The Council may, where necessary, grant a certificate of
practice with conditions.
(5) A certificate of practice shall be valid from the date of issue
to the 31st day of December of the year in which it is issued and may
be renewed upon application by the practising accountant.
(6) The Council may refuse to grant a certificate of practice to a
member.
(7) Where the Council refuses to grant a certificate of practice to
a member under subsection (6), the Council shall, within thirty days,
inform the member of
(a) the refusal to grant the certificate and the reasons for the
refusal; and
(b) the right of the member to appeal to the High Court against
(8) The Council may suspend or revoke a certificate of practice
granted under this section where the member granted the certificate of
practice contravenes the Professional Code of Ethics.
(9) A member who is aggrieved by a decision of the Council
made under this section, may appeal to the High Court within twenty
one days after the receipt of the decision of the Council.
29. Renewal of certificate of practice.
(1) A practising accountant who wishes to renew his or her
certificate of practice shall submit a written application to the
registrar, at least two months before the end of the year in respect of
which the certificate is issued.
(2) Where an application for renewal of a certificate of practice
is not made within the prescribed period, the secretary shall inform
the Counci I and the Council shall order the removal of the name of
that accountant from the register of practising accountants.

(3) The Council may, on the advice of the disciplinary
committee or the disciplinary appeals committee, as the case may be,
refuse to renew a certificate of practice.
(4) Where the Council on the advice of the disciplinary
committee or the disciplinary appeals committee or for any other
reason refuses to renew a certificate of practice, the Council shall,
within thirty days, inform the member of
(a) its refusal to renew the certificate of practice and the
reasons for the refusal; and
(b) the right of the member to appeal to the High Court against
(5) A memberwho is aggrieved by a decision of the Council
made under this section may appeal to the High Court within twenty
30. Use of Titles of the Institute.
An accountant under this Act is entitled to use the title "Certified
Public Accountants of Uganda" or any other title as may be provided
by the Council after his or her name.
31. Issue of annual licenses to accounting firms.
(1) Where the holder of a practicing certificate intends to
practice as a firm, whether as a sole practitioner or in partnership, he
or she shall apply to the Council for an annual license in the
prescribed form, furnishing the Council with such details of the Firm
as it may require.
(2) Where an application is made by a person under subsection
(1), the Council shall issue him or her with an annual license if it is
satisfied that the person
(a) holds a practicing certificate; and
(b) meets such other requirements as may be prescribed.

au
(3) A license granted under this section shall be valid from the
date of issue to the 31st day of December of the year in which it is
issued.
(4) The Council may refuse to grant a license to an accounting
finn.
(5) Where the Council refuses to grant a license to an accounting
finn under subsection (4), the Council shall, within thirty days,
inform the accounting finn of
(a) the refusal to grant the license and the reasons for the
refusal; and
(b) the right of the accounting finn to appeal to the High Court
against the decision of the Council.
(6) The Council may suspend or revoke a license granted under
this section where the accounting finn to which a license is granted
contravenes the Professional Code of Ethics.
(7) An accounting finn aggrieved by the decision of the Council
one days after it receives the decision of the Council.
(8) An accounting finn granted a license under this section is
entitled to use the title "Certified Public Accountant of Uganda
(CPA(U))" after its name.
32. Renewal of license for accounting firms.
(1) An accounting finn that wishes to renew its license shall
submit a written application to the registrar, at least two months
before the end of the financial year in respect of which the license is
issued.

(2) Where an application for renewal of a license is not made
within the prescribed period, the secretary shall inform the Council
and the Council shall order the removal of the name of that
accounting firm from the register of accounting firms.
(3) The Council may, on the advice of the disciplinary
committee or the disciplinary appeals committee, as the case may be,
refuse to renew a license of an accounting firm.
(4) Where the Council on the advice of the disciplinary
committee or the disciplinary appeals committee or for any other
reason refuses to renew a license, the Council shall, within thirty
days, inform the accounting firm of
(a) its refusal to renew the license and the reasons for the
. refusal; and
(b) the right of the accounting firm to appeal to the High Court
against the decision of the Council.
(5) An accounting firm aggrieved by the decision of the Council
33. Inspection of accounting firms.
(1) An accounting firm that applies for a license or for the
renewal of a license under section 31 or 32, respectively, shall not be
granted the license unless the Council inspects and approves the
accounting firm .
(2) The implementation of this section shall be in accordance
with regulations made under this Act.
34. Practicing accountancy.
(1) A person shall be deemed to practise accountancy if he or
she, whether by himself or herself or in partnership with another
person , for payment

(a) offers to perform or performs services involving auditing,
verification and certification of financial statements or
related reports; or
(b) renders any service which, under accounting practices or
regulations made by the Council, is a service that amounts
to practicing accountancy.
(2) All heads of accounts, finance and internal audit in public
and private sector entities, with public interest, shall be members of
the institute in accordance with the regulations made under this Act.
(3) A public officer or a person referred to in subsection (2) and
is employed by another person to perform or render services that
would otherwise amount to practising accountancy, shall not be
considered as practising accountancy under this section.
35. Offence to practise without certificate.
(1) A person, shall not practice accountancy in Uganda without
a certificate of practise issued under section 28 or 29.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence
and is, on conviction, liable to a fine not exceeding five hundred
currency points or imprisonment not exceeding two years and ten
months or both.
PART VIII-THE QUALITY ASSURANCE BOARD
36. The Quality Assurance Board.
(1) The Institute shall have a Quality Assurance Board
consisting of six professional accountants, three of whom shall be
women.
(2) The Quality Assurance Board shall be composed of
(a) the chairperson, appointed by the Minister responsible for
finance on the advice of the Council;

(b) one person
finance;
to represent the ministry responsible for
(c) one person to represent the office of the Auditor-General;
(d) two persons nominated by the Council to represent the
Institute;
(e) a secretary to the Quality Assurance Board appointed by
the council;
(f) one person of good repute from a professional body other
than accountancy.
(2) A member of the Quality Assurance Board shall hold office
for two years and is eligible for reappointment for only one more
term.
37. Functions of the Quality Assurance Board.
(1) The Quality Assurance Board shall
(a) monitor compliance with professional quality assurance
and standards published by the Council;
(b) enforce regulations established under this Act to govern
quality assurance programmes;
(c) refer practitioners' conduct to the disciplinary committee
where appropriate and based on the results of the audit
quality review;
(d) advise the Council on matters pertaining to professionalism
and other standards necessary for achievement of quality
assurance; and
(e) perform any other function incidental or related to quality
assurance.

(2) In the exercise of its functions under this Act, the Quality
Assurance Board shall regulate its own procedure and shall not work
under the direction of any person.
PART IX-PROFESSIONAL CODE OF Ennes
38. Professional code of ethics.
(1) Every accountant enrolled or registered under this Act shall
be subject to the Professional Code of Ethics prescribed by
regulations made under this Act.
(2) An accountant who contravenes the professional code of
ethics commits the offence of profession al misc onduct and shall be
dealt with by the disciplinary committee as appropriate.
PART X -DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
39. The disciplinary committee.
(1) The Council shall have a disciplinary committee consisting
of the following five members
(a) a member of the Coun cil who shall be the chairperson of
the disciplinary committee;
(b) two members of the Institute; and
(c) two eminent persons of good repute from the public one of
whom shall be a member of a profession other than
accountancy.
(2) The disciplinary committee shall exercise disciplinary
control over accountants.
(3) The quorum of the disciplin ary Committee shall be three
members.
(4) The term of office for a member of the disciplinary
committee shall be three years and a member is eligible for re
appointment for only one more term.

40. Secretary to disciplinary committee.
The secretary shall be the secretary of the disciplinary committee.
41. Complaints against accountants.
(1) A complaint or an allegation of professional misconduct
against an accountant, may be made to the secretary of the
disciplinary committee, by the Councilor by any person.
(2) Upon receipt of a complaint, the secretary shall as soon as
practicable, refer the matter to the disciplinary committee and the
committee shall fix a date for hearing the complaint.
(3) The secretary of the Council shall give notice of the first date,
time and place fixed for the inquiry to the accountant whose conduct
is the subject of investigation.
(4) The secretary shall at least fourteen days before the date
fixed for the inquiry, give notice of the date, time and place fixed for
the inquiry to the accountant whose conduct is the subject of
investigation.
(5) The notice in subsections (3) and (4) shall be delivered by
hand or sent through the post by registered mail addressed to the
accountant's address last known to the Council.
(6) The disciplinary committee shall give the accountant against
whom the complaint or allegation is made, an opportunity to be heard
and shall furnish him or her with a copy of the complaint and any
other relevant document, at least seven days before the date fixed for
the hearing.
(7) Where the accountant fails to appear personally or by his or
her representative at the time and place fixed in the notice served on
him or her, the inquiry may proceed in his or her absence.
42. Procedure of disciplinary committee.
The procedure to be followed by the disciplinary committee shall be
prescribed by regulations made under this Act.

43. Decision of disciplinary committee.
(1) After hearing the complainant and the accountant to whom
the complaint relates and after considering the evidence adduced, the
disciplinary committee may dismiss the complaint, where no grounds
for a disciplin ary action are disclosed.
(2) Where a ground for a disciplinary action is disclosed, the
disciplinary committee may impose any or a combination of the
following sanctions
(a) admonishment of the accountant;
(b) suspension of the registration and the certificate of the
accountant for a specified period not exceeding two years;
(c) suspension of the accountant from the membership of the
Institute for a specified period not exceeding two years;
(d) imposition of a fine determined by the disciplinary
committee;
(e) a requirement to make a payment of compensation as may
be determined by the disciplinary committee, to any person
who may have suffered loss or injury as a result of the
misconduct; or
(f) striking the name of the accountant off the roll of
accountants.
.. ..

45. Disciplinary appeals committee.
(1) The Council shall have a disciplinary appeals committee
consisting of-
(a) a chairperson who shall be an advocate;
(b) four members, three of whom shall be members of the
Institute and one of whom shall not be an accountant.
(2) The chairperson and any two members shall constitute the
quorum at a meeting of the disciplinary appeals committee.
(3) The disciplinary appeals committee shall appoint the
secretary of the committee from amongst themselves.
46. Powers and functions of the disciplinary appeals committee.
(1) The disciplinary appeals committee shall hear and determine
appeals from decisions of the disciplinary committee.
(2) For the purposes of hearing and determining an appeal under
subsection (1), the disciplinary appeals committee may-
(a) affirm the decision of the disciplinary committee;
(b) vary the decision of the disciplinary committee;
(c) set aside the decision of the disciplinary committee and-
(i) make a decision in substitution of the decision set
aside; or
(ii) refer the matter to the disciplinary committee for
reconsideration in accordance with the directions or
recommendations of the disciplinary appeals
committee.
(3) The procedure to be followed by the disciplinary appeals
committee shall be as prescribed by regulations made under this Act.

47. Appeals to the High Court.
An accountant or a complainant aggrieved by a decision or an order
of the disciplinary appeals committee may appeal against the decision
or order to the High Court within three months from the date on
which the report of the disciplinary committee is delivered to that
accountant or complainant.
48. Implementation of orders of disciplinary committee and
disciplinary appeals committee.
(1) The Council shall be responsible for the implementation of
the orders of the disciplinary committee and the disciplinary appeals
committee, as the case may be.
(2) Where the disciplinary committee or the disciplinary appeals
committee suspends the certificate of practice of an accountant or
suspends an accountant from the membership of the Institute, the
Council shall cause the name of an accountant to be struck off the roll
of accountants.
(3) The registration and the certificate of practice of an
accountant whose certificate of practice is suspended or who is
suspended from the membership of the Institute, shall stand cancelled
and the Council shall require that person to return the certificate of
practice to the Council within seven days .
PART XI-MISCELLANEOUS
49. Fees.
(1) A person enrolled as a member of the Institute under this Act,
shall, on enrollment pay an enrollment fee to the Council.
(2) Every member of the Institute shall for every financial year
after enrolment, pay an annual subscription fee to the Council.
(3) The annual subscription fee shall be determined by the
Council.

(4) Every practising accountant shall pay for each financial year,
practice fees for the certificate of practice for that financial year.
50. Registers.
(1) The registrar shall maintain a roll of the members of the
Institute in which shall be entered particulars of the members, as the
Council may prescribe.
(2) The registrar shall maintain separately, a register of
practising accountants and a register of accounting firms, in which
shall be entered particulars of the practising accountants and
accounting firms, as the Council may prescribe.
51. Extract from the register. "
(1) .Any extract from the register shall be certified by the
registrar and shall be admissible in a court or a tribunal without any
further proof of its contents.
(2) Any person may obtain an extract from the register on the
payment of the prescribed fee.
52. Alteration of the register.
(1) The Registrar may-
(a) make any corrections in the roll of accountants or a register
as may be necessary;
(b) remove from the roll of accountants and the register of
practising accountants the name of an accountant who is
deceased;
(c) remove from the roll of accountants or the register of
practising accountants the name of an accountant whose
name is ordered to be removed under this Act;
(d) with the consent of the accountant concerned, remove from
the roll of accountants and the register of practising
accountants the name of the accountant who ceases to
practice accountancy.

(2) Where the registrar has reason to believe that an accountant
has ceased to practice accountancy, the registrar may send to the
accountant a notice by registered post inquiring whether he or she
ceased to practise accountancy in Uganda and where a reply is not
received by the registrar within thirty days, the registrar shall remove
the name of the accountant from the register of practising
accountants.
(3) The Council shall , for the purposes of subsection (2), furnish
the registrar with any relevant information that may be in its
possession.
53. Regulations.
(1) The Minister may, by statutory instrument, on the
recommendation of Council make regulations for the better carrying
into effect the purposes of this Act.
(2) Without prejudice to the general effect of subsection (1),
regulations made under this Act shall be in respect of all or any of the
following-
(a) meetings of the Council;
(b) the management of the property and funds of the Institute;
(c) the election of the members of the Council;
(d) the procedure for the appointment of committees;
(e) the disciplinary control of officers and employees of the
Institute;
(f) any matter concerning the regulation of accountants and the
practice of accountancy;
(g) prescribing fees for anything to be done under this Act;

(h) prescribing penalties in respect of the contravention of any
of the regulations, not exceeding a fine of four hundred and
eighty currency points or imprisonment not exceeding two
years or both;
(i) prescribing anything that is required to be prescribed under
this Act; and
U) prescribing for the better performance of the functions of
the Institute.
54. Amendment of Schedule.
The Minister may, by statutory instrument with the appr~val of
Cabinet, amend the Schedule to this Act.
55. Consequential amendments.
Where under any law in force , the qualification of an auditor or
accountant is provided, that qualification shall be construed to refer to
a certified public accountant of Uganda or any other qualification that
may be prescribed under this Act.
56. Repeal of the Accountants Act.
(1) The Accountants Act, Cap 266, is repealed.
(2) Any order, regulation, direction, notice or other
administrative act made or given under the Accountants Act, Cap 266
shall continue in force and shall have effect as if it was made or given
or as the case may be, under this Act, so far as it is not in
contravention of this Act.

SCHEDULE 1
Currency point
One currency point is equivalent to twenty thousand Uganda shillings.

SCHEDULE 2
MEETINGS OF THE INSTITUTE
section 6
1. Annual General Meeting.
(1) The institute shall hold an annual general meeting which shall be
held once every year at a time, date and place determined by the Council.
(2) The following business shall be transacted at the annual general
meeting-
(a) reception and consideration of the annual report of the Council;
(b) reception and consideration of the accounts of the institute and
the auditor's report;
(c) election of members of the Council;
(d) appointment of auditors; and
(e) any other business.
2. Special General Meeting.
The council may convene a special general meeting of the institute
whenever it considers it necessary and shall convene a special general
meeting within ten days from the receipt by the secretary of a requisition in
writing, stating the object of the proposed meeting and signed by at least
twenty members of the institute.
3. Notice of Motion.
(1) A member wishing to bring a motion not related to the ordinary
business of the annual general meeting before the meeting may give notice
to the secretary to reach him/her at least five weeks before the date of the
meeting and the agenda for the meeting.
(2) The motion must relate to matters of the institute or the
accountancy profession.

4. Notice of Meeting.
(1) The Secretary shall send to each member of the institute notice of
the meeting not less than fourteen days and not more than 21 days before
the date of the meeting and the agenda for the meeting.
(2) In the case of the annual general meeting, the secretary shall send
with the notice-
(a) a copy of the annual report of the Council;
(b) a copy of the accounts of the institute together with the auditor's
report;
(c) a list of persons nominated or proposed for election to the
councilor its auditors; and
(d) particulars of any motion to be brought before the meeting.
(3) The non-receipt by any member of the institute of a notice of the
meeting or any relevant document shall not invalidate the proceedings of the
meeting to which they relate.
5. Quorum.
(1) At the general meeting, the quorum shall be twenty members and
if after fifteen minutes from the time appointed for the meeting the quorum
is not met, the meeting shall stand adjourned to that day a fortnight at the
same time and place to be determined by the Council.
(2) On the date to which the meeting is adjourned, the meeting shall
proceed to business not withstanding that there may be less than twenty
members.

Schedule 3
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
The following are the associate members:
1. Nagenda Godfrey, Reg. No. AM from Kampala;
2. Buliruno Francis Robert Reg. No 006 from Kampala;
3. Lwanga Timothy NKM Reg. No. 008 from Kampala;
4. KiizaDeogratiousTibaggwa Reg. No. all from Kampala;
5. Mukasa Anthony, Reg. No. 012 from Kampala;
6. Banguirana Henry Reg. No. 013 from Kampal~;
7. Ochola John J Charles, Reg. No. 015 from kampala;
8. Ojungu Alfred E Otule, Reg. No. 016; Kampala;
9. Mayambala Charles; Reg. No. 018 from Kampala;
10. Igalsdore W Salonga Reg. No. a19 from Kampala;
11. Kangezeku Ben Mukhooli Reg. No. 022 from Kampala.
!
I
section 5(5'J

Cross reference
Companies Act, Cap 110
I

.l E ::.EPl:.TBVC OF ",'Gl~'D
This printed impression has been carefully
compared by me with the bill which was
passed by Parliament and found by me to be a
true copy of the bill.
c.........................J~~.~.~~)!.-:- .
Clerk to Parliament
-Ii" I .I/r ~ ,J,, -;Z
. . / "'..L I :JDate ofauthentication: . .}I .

Accountants Act, 2013 Uganda

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Accountants Act, 2013 Uganda